A photo of Charu Venkatesan.

Charu Venkatesan, MD, PhD

  • Fetal and Neonatal Neurology Specialist, Division of Neurology
  • Professor, UC Department of Pediatrics
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I like to understand each child’s neurological condition and the unique challenges presented to the child and family, so I can help them navigate hurdles presented by the medical condition.
Charu Venkatesan, MD, PhD

About

Biography

I have always been fascinated by the intricate and complex design of the brain that endows each individual with unique qualities, and how disruption of neural connections can lead to neurological deficits. I also have a long-standing interest in brain development.

As a pediatric neurologist, I specialize in fetal and neonatal neurology and see patients both in the hospital and in clinic. I like to understand each child’s neurological condition and the unique challenges presented to the child and family, so I can help them navigate hurdles presented by the medical condition.

I also see patients with common neurological conditions such as headaches, developmental delays and seizures. I have always enjoyed working with children and families, and I especially enjoy taking care of children from infancy until adulthood while getting to know their families.

In addition to my clinical practice, I am also the Neonatal Neurology Fellowship director at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. I enjoy teaching very much and have been awarded the M. Harold Fogelson Teaching Award in 2016 by the Division of Neurology.

My research evaluates the outcomes of infants with congenital brain malformations and perinatal brain injury. This research aims to provide better counseling for families and improve medical care for children with these conditions.

I enjoy spending my free time with my husband and children.

BA: Columbia University, NY, NY, 1992.

PhD: State University of NY at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY, 2000.

MD: State University of NY at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY, 2002.

Residency: Pediatrics, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 2004.

Residency: Child Neurology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 2007.

Certification: Neurology with Special Qualifications in Child Neurology, 2008.

Interests

Pediatric neurology; fetal neurology; neonatal neurology

Services and Specialties

Interests

Neonatal brain injury

Research Areas

Additional Languages

Spanish, Tamil

Insurance Information

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Publications

Prenatally Diagnosed Absent Septum Pellucidum and Septo-Optic Dysplasia: A Narrative Review and Practical Recommendations for Pediatric Neurologists. Venkatesan, C; Gano, D; Scelsa, B; Vollmer, B; Lemmon, ME; Pardo, AC; Mulkey, SB; Tarui, T; Scher, M; Hart, AR; Agarwal, S. Pediatric Neurology. 2025; 164:17-24.

Recognition and Management of Delirium in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: Case Series From a Single-Center Level 4 Intensive Care Unit. Dornette, S; Deptola, S; Hemmann, B; Venkatesan, C; Cortezzo, DE. Journal of Child Neurology. 2025; 40:67-70.

Prenatally Diagnosed Holoprosencephaly: Review of the Literature and Practical Recommendations for Pediatric Neurologists. Scelsa, B; Gano, D; Hart, AR; Vollmer, B; Lemmon, ME; Tarui, T; Mulkey, SB; Scher, M; Pardo, AC; Agarwal, S; Venkatesan, C. Pediatric Neurology. 2025; 162:87-96.

Short- and Long-Term Outcomes of Prenatally Identified Congenital Aqueductal Stenosis by Fetal MRI. Smith, NJ; Nagaraj, UD; Kline-Fath, BM; Bierbrauer, KS; Habli, M; Venkatesan, C. Prenatal Diagnosis. 2024; 44:1574-1584.

Fetal-neonatal neurology principles and practice: Topics in diagnostic and management skills applied to interdisciplinary care. Scher, MS; Agarwal, S; Venkatesan, C. Seminars in Fetal and Neonatal Medicine. 2024; 29:101548.

Fetal craniofacial anomalies in amniotic band sequence. Sriwastwa, A; Kline-Fath, BM; Bierbrauer, KS; Venkatesan, C; Nagaraj, UD. Pediatric Radiology: roentgenology, nuclear medicine, ultrasonics, CT, MRI. 2024; 54:1933-1934.

Fetal Brain MRI Abnormalities in Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex Deficiency. Fortin, O; Christoffel, K; Shoaib, AB; Venkatesan, C; Cilli, K; Schroeder, JW; Alves, C; Ganetzky, RD; Fraser, JL. Neurology. 2024; 103:e209728.

Impact of Race in Missed Appointments in Pediatric Neurology Resident Clinic at a Large Tertiary Medical Center. Albor, LC; Horn, PS; Venkatesan, C; Ritter, DM. Journal of Child Neurology. 2024; 39:268-274.

Fetal Cerebral Ventriculomegaly: A Narrative Review and Practical Recommendations for Pediatric Neurologists. Agarwal, S; Venkatesan, C; Vollmer, B; Scelsa, B; Lemmon, ME; Pardo, AC; Mulkey, SB; Tarui, T; Dadhwal, V; Scher, M; Hart, AR; Gano, D. Pediatric Neurology. 2024; 156:119-127.

Recognition and Management of Delirium in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: Case Series From a Single-Center Level IV Intensive Care Unit. Dornette, S; Deptola, S; Hemmann, B; Venkatesan, C; Cortezzo, DE. Journal of Child Neurology. 2024; 39:171-177.

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